Lee calls on government to address Levy as figures show steep decline

Lee calls on government to address Levy as figures show steep decline

Levy Board chairman Paul Lee has called for the government to 'urgently address' the issue of bookmakers avoiding Levy by placing their internet arms offshore after the organisation's annual report revealed that income had dropped below £60 million, to £59.5 million, for the 2010-2011 period.

"It is simply not a level playing field for the UK-resident bookmakers who pay full Levy that their trade competitors should have this advantage," Lee said in a statement. He added that payment of Levy by offshore bookmakers "would transform the Levy yield".

The figure highlights a steep decline in the Levy Board's fortunes, as income for 2009-2010 was £75.4, and £90.6m in 2008-2009.